How do I earn my online Doctor of Business Administration degree?

What is the backbone to every business? Who helps to keep things afloat and running efficiently? Good management is key, however, the daily operations of a Business Administrator keeps the whole entity running smoothly, like a well-oiled machine. By earning your online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree, there are numerous opportunities available for you, whether you prefer a business management position or a teaching or consulting position.

If you are already enjoying full-time employment, perhaps you would like to advance in your career. With your doctorate degree in business administration, you will have the skills and confidence needed to apply for management positions, no doubt. Online courses are excellent options for those who have a busy home life and work schedules. As with all courses, you should verify accreditation before signing on. Rest assured, your online program will be just as rigorous and challenging as the education you would receive at a traditional brick and mortar university or college. And for those that are social butterflies, you can easily communicate with fellow students and professors through message boards, emails and social media. In most cases, a DBA will take three to six years to complete.

Coursework within the doctorate program builds on what you have previously learned, therefore, classes may be more intense and challenging. Curriculum may include strategic planning and management skills in business, advanced accounting/finance methods, information systems applications, economic trends, business law and ethics, organizational behavior/design, human resource management and marketing. You will also learn valuable critical thinking skills, how to manage budgets, microeconomics and macroeconomics, business research techniques and management theory and practice.

As a DBA degree holder, you should be highly motivated, a team player, exceptionally organized, have strong people skills, pay attention to details, goal-oriented and perhaps, most importantly, you must have the ability to focus when in an executive management or teaching position.

In addition, while earning your online Doctor of Business Administration degree, you may be asked to declare a specialization. For example, you may choose from topics such as, marketing, international business, information systems or business management. If you do, you may also consider earning an additional certification that focuses on your specialization. Although not required, most employers look favorably on certifications. They emphasize your dedication to your craft, allows you to showcase the skills you have learned and may get you that raise you’ve worked so hard for.

To complete your online Doctor of Business Administration degree program, you most likely will be required to complete a dissertation. Don’t let the mention of a dissertation deter you from achieving your educational goals. At this point in your program, you are prepared to take this journey. Typically, you will be asked to identify a specific problem within the field of business administration and then conduct original research to find a conclusion for the issue. Subjects to explore may include areas of taxation, international business, accounting or entrepreneurship, just to name a few.

Generally, a dissertation may include 100 – 200 pages with between 40,000 – 80,000 words of content, depending on your school’s requirements. Be prepared to defend your discoveries in front of a dissertation committee. If you are convincing enough and your research can back you up, you will earn your hard-earned degree!